KARACHI: Rao Anwar, a senior police officer in Karachi was suspended by Sindh chief minister on Friday after he arrested Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izhar, claiming that the provincial lawmaker is wanted in a number of terror-related cases.

“My suspension will hamper the investigation related to Izhar’s involvement in target killings,” Rao Anwar told media in an emergency press conference.

Izhar, however, was released later from Karachi police office.

About the legal status of his action, Anwar claimed that Speaker’s permission is not required before arresting a lawmaker, only a written information letter is sent after the arrest.

“Days before today, Rangers arrested them but no such permission was taken from the Speaker of the House,” said Anwar.

When asked if he was under orders from security agencies, Anwar denied the allegation and said he was not instructed to make the arrest by any security agency.

He said that MQM leaders have raised slogans against Pakistan and had used abusive language against the armed forces.

He believed that it was wrong to say that the MQM leaders in Pakistan had “disconnected” with their founder, Altaf Hussain in London.

“They are still working under orders of Altaf,” he said.